5 Tips for Successful Baking
When thinking about baking, all that comes to my mind is comforting, sweet thoughts. It is such a comfort to whip out a warm piece of chocolate cake, a gooey brownie, or a sweet-but-tart piece of apple pie. Needless to say in our society dessert is a pleasure.
But wouldn’t it be great if we could produce bakery quality goods at home? I seem to think so. It’s as easy as practicing (which I’m sure your significant other won’t mind), following a few guidelines, and being confident in your skills.
Tip #1 - Don’t Overmix! Make sure that you are simply mixing your batters until just combined, unless otherwise stated. If you mix a batter too long, it will become stiff and cakey.
Tip #2 - Follow the Instructions! In my experience, baking is the one form of cooking where you should “improvise” on the directions. While it is definitely a great idea to experiment with ingredients, be careful to follow the directions exactly.
Tip #3 - Measuring is Important! While things like vanilla can be measured “by the eye,” most powders in baking need to be measured exactly. Baking soda, baking powder, and flour especially need to be right on!
Tip #4 - Don’t Open the Oven Too Much! While it might be tempting to open and close the oven checking to see if your goods are finished, be careful how many times you check. You don’t want the baked good to fall!
Tip #5 - Be Confident! Baked good can be a great source of happiness and comfort, so don’t be afraid to try. Worst case? You don’t like it and you try again!
